Sub. H.B. No. 83 Summary

• Expands the definition of "caretaker" throughout Ohio's child support code to include persons with whom a child resides for at least 30 consecutive days and who is the child's primary caregiver, as well as persons receiving public assistance on behalf of the child and entities with legal custody of the child.

• Allows caretakers to initiate paternity actions, authorize genetic testing, file for child support orders, and enforce support obligations on behalf of children in their care, treating them similarly to parents and guardians in legal proceedings.

• Establishes a new process for redirecting existing child support payments to caretakers who are the primary caregivers of children, with agency investigations and court procedures to determine eligibility and manage redirection orders.

• Creates procedural requirements for child support enforcement agencies to investigate, determine, and redirect child support orders within specific timeframes (20 days), with rights for parents and caretakers to object to redirection orders within 14 days.

• Implements a 6-month transition period before provisions take effect to allow the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to make system changes, create rules and forms, and prepare for implementation of caretaker-related child support provisions.